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Papa Wemba: Singing for a Brighter Congo

Caipirinha Short Films

In addition to releasing feature documentaries, Caipirinha Productions has produced an ongoing series of short films that focus on particular issues and locations. We continue to be engaged in these various campaigns and will publish our new shorts here as soon as they are completed!

Use the horizontal scroll bar to check out our selection of short films!

Papa Wemba: Singing for a Brighter Congo

Cultures of Resistance Feature Documentary Trailer

Iara Lee's UN Press Conference

Opposing Violence Towards Iran

Banning Cluster Bombs: The Campaign and the Treaty

Love Boat or Hate Boat?

Resistance Artist Katibe 5

Hands Off Gaza

Fishing Under Fire

Battle for the Xingu

Lowkey and Shadia Mansour

Attack on the Mavi Marmara

A Look at Global Militarization

Skateistan!

Militarism, Mutilation, and Minerals: Understanding the Occupation of Afghanistan

MV BILL: Peace to the Favelas

Americas Social Forum

The Yes Men: Pranksters Against War (USA)

Andre Cypriano: Guns & Slums Photographer (Brazil)

Rami Farah: Anti-Occupation Films

Sierra Leone Rising

Fire in the Delta: The Struggle Against Shell in Nigeria

Lexxus Legal: Hip Hop for Social Change

The Rape of the Samburu Women

Building Beyond Conflict: Inspiring Congolese Kids for a Brighter Future

An Interview with Afghanistan’s First Female Governor: Dr. Habiba Sorabi

Thembo Kash: Cartooning for Justice

Coalition of the Billing: An Interview with Jeremy Scahill

Hassan Samedi: Cartoons Against Corruption

Breaking the Silence: Congo Week

The Courage of Neighbors: Stories from the Rwandan Genocide

Picture Afghanistan: Teaching Photojournalism in a War-Torn Country

Women Beyond War: A World March in Africa

Tehran Ratz: Graffiti for a New Iran

Saffron Revolution: A Nonviolent Army for Democracy

The Women’s Colloquium in Liberia: Gender Equality in Africa

Miatta Fahnbulleh: Educating the Next Generation

Festival au Desert: Playing for Peace in the Sahara

Another Failed Drug War: Poppy Eradication in Afghanistan

The Transformation of a Drug Capital: the Medellín Poetry Festival

César López: Turning Guns into Guitars

Gatwitch Festival: Showcasing a New Generation of African Artists and Activists

As a young man Papa Wemba left his rural home in central Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for the city of Kinshasa to pursue his musical career. In 1969 he joined Zaiko Langa Langa, becoming part of a lineup that did not last long but whose members produced some of the country's most provocative music for years after their break-up. In the 1970s, during then-president Mobutu's "authenticité" campaign, which called for a revival of African roots and a rejection of all things Western, Wemba grew famous for rebelling against these strictures and dressing in avant-garde European fashion. In 1977 he formed a new group called Viva la Musica, membership in which has been a rite of passage for many of the country's most talented young artists. Throughout his career Papa Wemba has been an agent of free expression. Cultures of Resistance interviewed the legendary singer to talk about his music, the future of his country’s politics, and the tensions between politicians and artists in Africa.